MegaPod
Ancient Arrow Avian
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In the World of Pokémon, there lives a vast number and variety of amazing creatures to befriend and collect. Every week, we will be focusing on a single one of these Pokémon or evolutionary lines and talking about what makes it special. This week's Pokémon of choice are Starly, Staravia and Staraptor!
Starly and its evolutions are a family of Normal/Flying type Pokémon that were introduced in Generation IV, and are the early-game “regional birds” of Sinnoh. The Starly line is mainly based off of starlings, with Staraptor in particular also drawing inspiration from birds of prey. These regional birds have primarily grayish-brown plumage with black and white details, and in the case of Staraptor, red feathers tipping the sharp-looking crest on its head. In fact, as Starly evolves, it progresses from a more cutesy, round, and somewhat dopey-eyed look to a sharper appearance overall, Staravia bridging the gap nicely with a slightly taller build and curlier head tuft than Starly. The round marking directly above a female Starly’s face is slightly smaller than that of a male Starly; this subtle gender difference, one of many that were introduced with the Generation IV games, is carried on to Starly’s evolved forms. Starly are known to flock together in great numbers and flap their wings powerfully to compensate for their small size; however, they leave the flock to live alone when they become fully evolved Staraptor. Staraptor are especially brave and will easily take on foes much bigger than themselves. One more notable feature of Starly is its noisy chirping cry. In the video games, this cry becomes a sort of trill when Starly evolves into Staravia at level 14, and then a robust screech when it evolves again into Staraptor at level 34.
Being Sinnoh’s regional bird, the Starly line was shown frequently in the Gen IV anime. One notable member of this family was caught by Ash Ketchum as a Starly and raised into a Staraptor over the course of the series, becoming Ash’s main aerial Pokémon during his Sinnoh journey.
But why should you consider having a Staraptor on your team? A trainer looking for a speedy physical attacker might find Staraptor handy. Staraptor has access to the high power Fighting-type move Close Combat, an excellent coverage option that hits hard against many types in exchange for drops in each of Staraptor’s already mediocre defensive stats. Staraptor can make itself harder to break physically by lowering the foe’s Attack with its regular ability, Intimidate. However, if a trainer opts to run Staraptor with its hidden ability, Reckless, they can instead bolster the power of Staraptor’s already powerful STAB recoil moves, Brave Bird and Double-Edge. Just watch Staraptor’s health if you do this, as dealing more damage with these moves causes Staraptor to take more recoil damage itself. Luckily, Roost is a viable recovery option that Staraptor can also utilize. Staraptor can even function as a team’s hazard remover with Defog. Being airborne, Staraptor can harmlessly switch into Spikes and Toxic Spikes — but beware of Stealth Rock.
Staraptor also has a notable role to fill in the Pokémon Ranger side games introduced during Generation IV, those being Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia and Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs. In these games, Staraptor is the only Pokémon capable of assisting the player with the Field Move known as Fly, which works much the same way as the HM move of the same name in the core series games. The player can ride Staraptor to previously visited areas once Staraptor can be captured. Staraptor will also begin spawning in locations visited earlier on when the player is able to do so, making transportation around the Almia or Oblivia region that much easier.
Here are some questions to consider to get conversation rolling. You don't have to answer all of them or any of them in your post as long as you're staying on topic and within global forum rules.
◦ Do you like or dislike this Pokémon? Why?
◦ How is this Pokémon in-game?
◦ How is this Pokémon in competitive play? Are there any interesting strategies you like to use for them?
◦ Do you like this Pokémon's representation in the anime? Are there any moments or qualities in particular you enjoy/dislike?
◦ How do you think this Pokémon would interact with our world?
◦ If given the power to, would you change anything about this Pokémon and if so, what would you change?
◦ Are subtle Pokémon gender differences like Starly’s interesting or pointless in your opinion?
◦ Are regular-looking birds a silly inclusion in the Pokémon world, or does Staraptor prove the contrary?
Thanks to @Gengarzilla, @CynthiaLover, and @PkmnTrainerV for suggesting this Pokémon of the Week!
If you have any suggestions for Pokémon you'd like to discuss in the future just leave your ideas at the bottom of your post. Make sure you give your thoughts about the current Pokémon first!
Previous Pokémon of the Week:
Starly and its evolutions are a family of Normal/Flying type Pokémon that were introduced in Generation IV, and are the early-game “regional birds” of Sinnoh. The Starly line is mainly based off of starlings, with Staraptor in particular also drawing inspiration from birds of prey. These regional birds have primarily grayish-brown plumage with black and white details, and in the case of Staraptor, red feathers tipping the sharp-looking crest on its head. In fact, as Starly evolves, it progresses from a more cutesy, round, and somewhat dopey-eyed look to a sharper appearance overall, Staravia bridging the gap nicely with a slightly taller build and curlier head tuft than Starly. The round marking directly above a female Starly’s face is slightly smaller than that of a male Starly; this subtle gender difference, one of many that were introduced with the Generation IV games, is carried on to Starly’s evolved forms. Starly are known to flock together in great numbers and flap their wings powerfully to compensate for their small size; however, they leave the flock to live alone when they become fully evolved Staraptor. Staraptor are especially brave and will easily take on foes much bigger than themselves. One more notable feature of Starly is its noisy chirping cry. In the video games, this cry becomes a sort of trill when Starly evolves into Staravia at level 14, and then a robust screech when it evolves again into Staraptor at level 34.
Being Sinnoh’s regional bird, the Starly line was shown frequently in the Gen IV anime. One notable member of this family was caught by Ash Ketchum as a Starly and raised into a Staraptor over the course of the series, becoming Ash’s main aerial Pokémon during his Sinnoh journey.
But why should you consider having a Staraptor on your team? A trainer looking for a speedy physical attacker might find Staraptor handy. Staraptor has access to the high power Fighting-type move Close Combat, an excellent coverage option that hits hard against many types in exchange for drops in each of Staraptor’s already mediocre defensive stats. Staraptor can make itself harder to break physically by lowering the foe’s Attack with its regular ability, Intimidate. However, if a trainer opts to run Staraptor with its hidden ability, Reckless, they can instead bolster the power of Staraptor’s already powerful STAB recoil moves, Brave Bird and Double-Edge. Just watch Staraptor’s health if you do this, as dealing more damage with these moves causes Staraptor to take more recoil damage itself. Luckily, Roost is a viable recovery option that Staraptor can also utilize. Staraptor can even function as a team’s hazard remover with Defog. Being airborne, Staraptor can harmlessly switch into Spikes and Toxic Spikes — but beware of Stealth Rock.
Staraptor also has a notable role to fill in the Pokémon Ranger side games introduced during Generation IV, those being Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia and Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs. In these games, Staraptor is the only Pokémon capable of assisting the player with the Field Move known as Fly, which works much the same way as the HM move of the same name in the core series games. The player can ride Staraptor to previously visited areas once Staraptor can be captured. Staraptor will also begin spawning in locations visited earlier on when the player is able to do so, making transportation around the Almia or Oblivia region that much easier.
Here are some questions to consider to get conversation rolling. You don't have to answer all of them or any of them in your post as long as you're staying on topic and within global forum rules.
◦ Do you like or dislike this Pokémon? Why?
◦ How is this Pokémon in-game?
◦ How is this Pokémon in competitive play? Are there any interesting strategies you like to use for them?
◦ Do you like this Pokémon's representation in the anime? Are there any moments or qualities in particular you enjoy/dislike?
◦ How do you think this Pokémon would interact with our world?
◦ If given the power to, would you change anything about this Pokémon and if so, what would you change?
◦ Are subtle Pokémon gender differences like Starly’s interesting or pointless in your opinion?
◦ Are regular-looking birds a silly inclusion in the Pokémon world, or does Staraptor prove the contrary?
Thanks to @Gengarzilla, @CynthiaLover, and @PkmnTrainerV for suggesting this Pokémon of the Week!
If you have any suggestions for Pokémon you'd like to discuss in the future just leave your ideas at the bottom of your post. Make sure you give your thoughts about the current Pokémon first!
Previous Pokémon of the Week:
- Pokémon of the Week #1: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, & Venusaur
- Pokémon of the Week #2: Scraggy & Scrafty
- Pokémon of the Week #3: Gulpin & Swalot
- Pokémon of the Week #4: Porygon, Porygon2, & Porygon-Z
- Pokémon of the Week #5: Emolga
- Pokémon of the Week #6: Rufflet & Braviary
- Pokémon of the Week #7: Ditto
- Pokémon of the Week #8: Wynaut & Wobbuffet
- Pokémon of the Week #9: Sneasel & Weavile
- Pokémon of the Week #10: Murkrow & Honchkrow
- Pokémon of the Week #11: Houndour & Houndoom
- Pokémon of the Week #12: Exeggcute & Exeggutor
- Pokémon of the Week #13: Gastly, Haunter, & Gengar
- Pokemon of the Week #14: Smoochum & Jynx
- Pokémon of the Week #15: Beldum, Metang, & Metagross
- Pokémon of the Week #16: Bidoof
- Pokémon of the Week # 17: Deerling and Sawsbuck
- Pokémon of the Week #18: Munchlax and Snorlax
- Pokémon of the Week #19: Hoppip, Skiploom, and Jumpluff
- Pokémon of the Week #20: Nincada, Ninjask, and Shedinja
- Pokémon of the Week #21: Pumpkaboo & Gourgeist
- Pokémon of the Week #22: Mudkip, Marshtomp, and Swampert
- Pokémon of the Week #23: Froakie, Frogadier, and Greninja
- Pokémon of the Week #24: Rattata & Raticate
- Pokémon of the Week #25: Mimikyu
- Pokémon of the Week #26: Mareep, Flaaffy, & Ampharos
- Pokémon of the Week #27: Delibird
- Pokémon of the Week #28: Espeon
- Pokémon of the Week #29: Rowlet, Dartrix, & Decidueye
- Pokémon of the Week #30: Popplio, Brionne, & Primarina
- Pokémon of the Week #31: Litten, Torracat, & Incineroar
- Pokémon of the Week #32: Woobat & Swoobat
- Pokémon of the Week #33: Vulpix & Ninetales
- Pokémon of the Week #34: Mewtwo
- Pokémon of the Week #35: Shellos & Gastrodon
- Pokémon of the Week #36: Weedle, Kakuna, & Beedrill
- Pokémon of the Week #37: Alomomola
- Pokémon of the Week #38: Pidove, Tranquill, & Unfezant
- Pokémon of the Week #39: Darkrai
- Pokémon of the Week #40: MissingNo.
- Pokémon of the Week #41: Pikachu
- Pokémon of the Week #42: Bonsly & Sudowoodo
- Pokémon of the Week #43: Wingull & Pelliper
- Pokémon of the Week #44: Swirlix & Slurpuff
- Pokémon of the Week #45: Lotad, Lombre, & Ludicolo
- Pokémon of the Week #46: Kangakhan
- Pokémon of the Week #47: Riolu & Lucario
- Pokémon of the Week #48: Raichu
- Pokémon of the Week #49: Magikarp & Gyarados
- Pokémon of the Week #50: Horsea, Seadra & Kingdra
- Pokémon of the Week #51: Elgyem & Beheeyem
- Pokémon of the Week #52: Scyther & Scizor
- Pokémon of the Week #53: Crabrawler & Crabominable
- Pokémon of the Week #54: Rotom
- Pokémon of the Week #55: Numel & Camerupt
- Pokémon of the Week #56: Sableye
- Pokémon of the Week #57: Corsola
- Pokémon of the Week #58: Diglett & Dugtrio
- Pokémon of the Week #59: Klink, Klang, & Klinklang
- Pokémon of the Week #60: Caterpie, Metapod, & Butterfree
- Pokémon of the Week #61: Gible, Gabite & Garchomp
- Pokémon of the Week #62: Celebi
- Pokémon of the Week #63: Feebas & Milotic
- Pokémon of the Week #64: Honedge, Doublade & Aegislash
- Pokémon of the Week #65: Shieldon & Bastiodon
- Pokémon of the Week #66: Zorua & Zoroark
- Pokémon of the Week #67: Zubat, Golbat, & Crobat
- Pokémon of the Week #68: Swinub, Piloswine, & Mamoswine
- Pokémon of the Week #69: Wimpod & Golisopod
- Pokémon of the Week #70: Farfetch’d
- Pokémon of the Week #71: Jangmo-o, Hakamo-o & Kommo-o
- Pokémon of the Week #72: Gallade
- Pokémon of the Week #73: Snover and Abomasnow
- Pokémon of the Week #74: Voltorb and Electrode
- Pokémon of the Week #75: Pawniard and Bisharp
- Pokémon of the Week #76: Mew
- Pokémon of the Week #77: Suicune
- Pokémon of the Week #78: Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard
- Pokémon of the Week #79: Luvdisc
- Pokémon of the Week #80: Rockruff and Lycanroc
- Pokémon of the Week #81: Snorunt, Glalie, and Froslass
- Pokémon of the Week #82: Zigzagoon & Linoone
- Pokémon of the Week #83: Togedemaru
- Pokémon of the Week #84: Koffing and Weezing
- Pokémon of the Week #85: Cleffa, Clefairy & Clefable
- Pokémon of the Week #86: Absol
- Pokémon of the Week #87: Dhelmise
- Pokémon of the Week #88: Ponyta & Rapidash
- Pokémon of the Week #89: Venipede, Whirlipede and Scolipede
- Pokémon of the Week #90: Shinx, Luxio & Luxray
- Pokémon of the Week #91: Fennekin, Braixen, and Delphox
- POTW: - Pokémon of the Week #92: Fletchling, Fletchinder & Talonflame
- POTW: - Pokémon of the Week #93: Drilbur and Excadrill
- POTW: - Pokémon of the Week #94: Type: Null & Silvally
- POTW: - Pokémon of the Week #95: Sandygast and Palossand
- POTW: - Pokémon of the week #96: Dratini, Dragonair & Dragonite